Daily Rounds: Hauser Resigns; Health Care 'Sluggish;' Lahey Merger; Restaurant Hall Of Shame

Embattled Professor Marc Hauser Will Resign from Harvard — Harvard Crimson
"Psychology Professor Marc D. Hauser, who has been investigated for falsifying scientific data, will resign his tenured position at the University, effective August 1, Harvard spokesperson Jeff Neal said in a statement Tuesday. 'While on leave over the past year, I have begun doing some extremely interesting and rewarding work focusing on the educational needs of at-risk teenagers. I have also been offered some exciting opportunities in the private sector,' Hauser wrote in a resignation letter dated July 7."

Health-Care Use Remains Sluggish - WSJ.com
"The U.S. economy's still-fragile health continues to keep consumers out of hospitals and doctors' offices, affecting the earnings reports Tuesday from UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Johnson & Johnson in contrasting ways. For companies like UnitedHealth that help pay the bills, patients making fewer doctors' visits is boosting earnings. For product-making companies like J&J, however, the slowdown mutes sales. 'This has been going on for months and, like persistently high unemployment, doesn't seem poised to change quickly.'"

Lahey, Northeast Health Set Merger Deal — Boston Globe
"Lahey Clinic of Burlington said yesterday it has agreed to merge with Northeast Health System, forming a hospital network that would stretch from the northwestern Boston suburbs to Cape Ann and further scrambling the Massachusetts health care market. The deal, in which no money changes hands, would create a new nonprofit umbrella organization called Lahey Health System under the leadership of Howard G. Grant, who took over as Lahey’s chief executive eight months ago. It would have 675 licensed beds, more than 1,110 doctors, and about 10,000 employees across four hospitals."

Public Interest Group Slams Restaurants' Most Unhealthful Meals — NPR - Shots
"The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) today announced its winners for their Fourth annual "Xtreme Eating Awards" at the National Press Club in Washington. But these aren't the awards restaurants want — they're offered for dishes with the highest calories, fat and sodium. 'Today's winners certainly contribute to obesity, and to heart disease, high blood pressure and other illnesses,' said Michael F. Jacobson, executive director for CSPI. "And just as bad, these huge meals shape our way of thinking what's a normal size meal.' This year's winners included Denny's Fried Cheese Melt."